Wire clamp



J. T. WILEY May 24, 1932.

WIRE CLAMP Filed Jan. 3l, 1931 atboz mm1,

Patented May 24, 1932 PATENT OFFICE JAMES T. WILEY, F WEST HAMLIN, WEST VIRGINIA WIRE CLAMP Application led January 31, 1931.

The present invention relates to clamping devices and more particularly to a clamp adapted for use in clamping of fence wire so as to permit the stretching of the wire for mounting on the fence posts.

Another object of this invention is to pro-V vide a clamp of this kind which can be readily disassembled so as to remove the clamp from the wire without the necessity of tools or the like.

A further object of this invention is to provide a clamp of this kind, the component parts of which may be stamped out of sheet metal.

The above and various other objects and advantages of this invention will in part be described in and in part be understood from the following detailed description of the present preferred embodiment, the same being illustrated in the accompanying dra-wings, wherein Figure 1 is a detail perspective view of a wire clamp constructed according to the preferred embodiment of this invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1, and

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 3 3 of Figure 2.

Referring to the drawings wherein like Vnumerals of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the numeral designates generally an elongated bar constituting one portion of a clamp constructed according to the preferred embodiment of this invention, and the numeral 11 designates a second bar constituting another portion of a clamp constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of this invention. The half of the clamp designated 10 is constructed in substantially channel form having upturned marginal edge portions 13 and the body of the bar 1() is provided at spaced points therealong with lock- Serial No. 512,681.

ing or tightening members 12 which are preferably pressed out of the body of the barv10 and bent at substantially right angles to the longitudinal axis thereof. These locking or tightening members 12 are preferably wedge-shaped, having the largest or widest portion rearwardly, the purpose for which will be hereinafter described. The complementary half of the clamp 11 is also provided with iianged marginal edge portions lt and at spaced points along the body of this member 11 there are upstanding hooks 15 which are preferably struck from the body of the clamping member 11, these hooks 15 being bent at right angl-es to the longitudinal axis of the bar 11 and being in number equal to the number of the tightening members 12 and spaced apart in like manner.

The member 11 constitutes a fixed clamping member, and the member 10 is provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced openings 16 for receiving hooks, chains or the like, so as to attach the movable clamp 10 to a fence tightening member so that this movable clamping member 10 may be moved for tightening of the fence.

ln the use of this device, the fence wire is adapted to be disposed between the fined clamping member 11 and the movable clamping member 10 and the hooks or reverted members 15 are projected through the wire and through the holes ore-slots 17 formed in the movable clamping member 10 by reason of striking out the tightening members 12. If desired, a wire clamp of suitable construction may be disposed about the marginal edges of the two portions of the clamp herein disclosed, so as to hold these members together initially during the beginning' of the tightening operation. As the movable clamping member 10 moves forwardly independently of the fixed clamping member 11, the reverted tongue or hook 15 will ride up on the inclined surface of the wedge-shaped locking and tightening member 12, which movement will cause the abutting faces of the two clamping members to be forced together and 'thereby tightly clamp or grip the wire therebetween.

It will be obvious from the foregoing thaA CII as the pull on the movable clamping member 10 becomes greater, the tension on the wedge members l2 will increase and in like manner, the two portions of the clamping member 10 and 11 will be forced together so as to iirmly hold the wire mesh therebetween.

Then it is desired to release the clamp from the wire, the tension on the movable member l0 may be released and this member l() can then be moved rearwardly by holding the fixed clamping member ll stationary, thereby permitting the wedge members l2 to move from beneath the hooks or reverted members 15.

It will be obvious from the foregoing that each portion of this clamp may be'stamped out of a single sheet of material and that the marginal flanges on each side thereof will maint-ain the metal in relatively straight condition so as t0 prevent longitudinal bending thereof. It will, of course, be understood that the pull on this clamp is a sidewise pull, that is, a pull transversely of the longitudinal axis thereof so that a relatively heavy liange on each edge of the two plates is not necessary.

It is, of course, understood that various changes and modifications may be made in the details of construction and design of the above specifically described embodiment of this invention without departing from the spirit thereof, such changes and modifications being restricted only by the scope of the following claims.

I claim l. A wire clamp of the character described comprising a fixed clamping member having flanged opposite side portions whereby to provide a channeled clamping bar, a laterally movable clamping member, anges on each side of said movable clamping member whereby to provide a channeled movable clamping member, a plurality of longitudinally spaced wedge-shaped tightening memf` bers carried by said movable clamping member inwardly of each longitudinal edge, and means carried by said fixed clamping mem.- ber and extending through said movable member and engaginfr said wedge-shaped tightening members of said movable clamping member whereby to force said clamping members together upon independent movement of said movable clamping member in one direction.

2. A wire clamp of the character described comprising a xed clamping member, a movable clamping member, said movable clamping member having a plurality of longitudinally spaced openings therethrough, a plurality of tapering tightening members care ried by said movable clamping member and disposed one adjacent the edge of each opening, a hook-shaped member carried by said fixed clamping member and adapted to engage said tightening member, said hookshaped members extending through said openings in said movable clamping member and engaging said tapering tightening members whereby to force said fixed clamping member toward said movable clamping member upon edgewise movement of said movable clamping member.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afhX my signature.

JAMES T. WILEY. 

